Making bearings



Aug. 23, 1938'. A R, D, P|KE 2,127,937

MAKING BEARINGS Filed April 1'7, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 17555531.. 1&522.

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A TTORNEY Aug. 23, 1938. R. D. PIKE 2,127,937

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gaa C0/man ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 23, 1938" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAKING BEARINGS Robert D. Pike, Piedmont, Kali! Corporation, Eme ration of Delaware Application April 17, 1935, Serial No. 16,818

(Cl. 22e-203) temperatures, as a res the steel is made very hot by the short period of time, that is. until the bronze contacts it. Welding being practically instantaneous, there is no harm in this being followed by practically immediate cooling.

The flux, as stated in my prior of the boraxutype and may consist of 1 Calif., assignor to Calif., a corpoult of which-the surface of In certain former applications, for example,

flux for only` a s Serial No. 554,785, filed August my application ound article and method of 3, 1931, for/Comp making the same, 5 ruary 5, 1934, for Making bearings",

No. 754,757, filed November 26, 1934, for Making bearings, Il have described processes of welding ctly, autogenously, rmly,

n or steel back- Serial No. 709,713, led Febapplications, is

plastic bronzes dire uniformly and integrally to iro ing members, the resulting product being in the manufacture of bearings having a plastic bronze bearing facing welded to an iron or steel supporting backing m lAs is well known, bearing facing which has ver characteristics.' and the essential const thereof are, as a rule, co in copper, together with running in practice anyw or less, up to 40% in addition to copper and le 4 present, genera copper alloy an are generally presen a fraction of 1% the additional metals although others may be used.

In the applications above referred to which this application is a continuation in part as to common subject matter, the plastic bronze molten condition against the solid backtain the above described type the interface be- Anhydrous borax 80 Cryolite Boric acid-" plastic bronzes present a y desirable bearing After casting and at sui ing interval thereafter, the se rapidly as by quenching An object of the presen mize the amount of flux and/or m'olt pper or an alloy high lead, the lead content here from to 20%, or 45%, or higher.

ad are frequently lly for the purpose of forming a d, as a matter of practice, these t in amounts running from more or less,

t invention is to minition is to make it Another object of the inven e the core is still perhaps up to 5% usually being tin or nickel,

ventiqn is to decrease between-casting and of the invention will be apparent from the following disclosure.

Referring to the drawings which i of this specification- A Fig. 1 is a sectional v in ,my invention, mix bath and the aux am with the backing member;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, il with a set-up in the metal Fig. 3 is a similar view, metal bath and metal drawn up Other objects ing member. To ob of weld, it is necessary that el and bronze be not below a and it is also desirable that the steel d that the plastic bronze be ding to the above mentioned sired working conditions can the flux to about F. The steel heated to somewhere be- F., say about 1700* F.; is maintained at about F., say about 2100 ve its melting point to of during the cas or a. little below, or it may the melting point of the tween the ste temperature be not too hot`an not too hot. y applications the de be attained by superheating 2550*? F. to 2750 Ibacking is generally tween 1450 F. and 1750 the plastic bronze 2000 F. t'o 2200 bronze is somewhat abo prevent freezing there and the backing is at, be even a little above iew illustrating one step that is, with the set wn up into contact lustrating a later step F., say about 2650" with the set-up :l

to replace the 4 is a similar view, illustrating the set-up in chilling position;

Fig. 5 is a similar view, illustrat cast-welded, bimetallic unit; view similar t ing the chilled,

x is contacted with the een it but to imthereof and prepare it to so that when the bronze conding is almost instantanee above ,stated preferred The superheated iiu backing member not o part heat to the f receive the bronze tacts the backing, wel ous,- particularly at th 3, illustrating a billed bimetallic unit ng plastic bronze l and held in welded to both the inside and outside faces thereof;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a merrygo-round-type of device useful in carrying out my process;

Fig. 10 is a development of Fig. 9, showing the relationship of the successive steps.'` andv Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of a detail.

I provide a tube I made up of any type of metal which is heateresistant and which is also resistant to plastic bronze, that is, to which the plastic bronze will preferably not adhere.

II is the steel tube to thev inside face of which the plastic bronze is to be welded and which thus will form the bearing back. The two tubes I0 andv II are welded together at their meeting edges I2.

The bottom of the tube II is closed except i'or a small opening I3, and this may be accomplished by rolling in the bottom of the tube as at I4, or by an alternative method to be described vlater with respect to Figs.- 6, 7 and 8.

I provide a core I5 which is heat-resistant and resistant to the molten bronze; that is, which will not bewet by the plastic 'bronze and to which it will not adhere, and it may be made of the same material as the tube I0, or of any other suitable material. The core is carried by a piston rod I6 which, in turn, is attached to a piston I1 mounted within a cylinder I 8, the piston being adapted to travel back and forth within the cylinder I8 as it is urged by iiuid pressure from either above or below. 1

A pipe I9 from a source of compressed air (not shown) leads to the `four-way valve 20, from which the pipes 2I and 22 connect one to each end `o1 the cylinder, the fourth way of the valve being an exhaust vent 23. The adjustment of the valve is such that when the compressed air pipe is connected to either end of the cylinder, the. other end of the cylinder is connected to th -exhaust vent. The core I5 may thus be moved up or down the valve 20.

I provide a hollow chamber 24 below the cylinder, this being provided with a collapsible hollow copper gasket 25 into which fluid pressure may be admitted or released by a three-way valve 26, one way 21 of which connects, with a source of compressed air( not shown), another way 28 of which connectsjvith the gaske aust vent, the valve l` e gasket is connected either with a source off. ompressed air or with the exhaust; or the'conection to the gasket is closed.

A pipe 30 connects the chamber 24 to a three^ Way valve 3I, one way l32 of which is connected to a source of vacuum (not shown), and the third way 33 of which comprises an exhaust to atmosphere so that any degree of vacuum ranging from atmospheric pressure to that caused by the source of vacuum may be maintainedvyvithin the chamber 24.

'Ihe tube Il, after being shaped, is welded at I2 to the tube 10, and the tube I0` is then inserted iwithin the gasket 25 whereupon the gasket is in-4 flated and maintained inated by manipulation of the valve 26 to make a tight joint.

In performing the various -welding steps, I may treatea'ch set-up singly or in groups of any desired number, groups of six being what I prefer as a rule; and I will describe my process withV relation to groups of six.

about the top of the tube II.

up S2 being now shown in 'ing the column of p then applied to both set-ups, ywhereupon 'Ilux enters the set-up S2, as previously described with position by proper manipulation oftaneously.`

, and the third way air is used to direct the are heated to the'temperature of theA backing' above referred to. preferably within the range of 1450" F. to 1750 F., 1700" F. being a suitable tem'- perature; and the first set-up Si is then moved over the pot 34 containing the supermolten flux 35 l(as shown on Fig. 1),'the set-ups thus being moved one step to the right from their positions shown on Fig. 10, whereupon the valve 3| is operated to withdraw air from the chamber 24 and create a partial vacuum within the tube comprised of the tubes I0 and II, this drawing ux up into the space between the core lI5 and the tube II, to The iiux in the pot 34 is superheated as above described, that is, to a temperature of about the range of 2550 F. to 2750 F., 2650 F. being a suitable temperature. This superheated -ux prepares the surface of the vtube II of the rst set-up S1 almost immediately for welding. f

This set-up S1 is then lifted and moved and oriented in a similar manner over a pot 36 which contains molten plastic bronze 31, (as shown on Fig. 2), the series oi. set-ups now having been moved two steps tothe right from the positions shown on Fig. 10. 'I'heplastic bronze 31 is at the temperature above referred to, namely, preferably within the range of 2000 F. to 2200 F., 2100 F. being a suitable temperature. Withvthe ilrst set-up S1 over the pot 36 of metal, the second set-up Sz is over the pot 34 of ux. These setups are then lowered into the respective pots in which they stand, the position of the second settion of the first-set-up S1 isvshown on Fig. 2, some metal entering the tube I I and slightly raisfiux thereover. Vacuum is respect to the flrst set-up S1, while metal is drawn into the first set-up S1 to about the top of the tube II, raising up the column of flux thereover as shown on Fig. 3.. Welding of the plastic bronze to the tube II ltakes The rst set-up S1 is then oriented over a quenching means, the vsecond set-up Si over the metal pot 36, and a third set-up S3 over the ux pot 34, whereupon the second and third setups S2 and S3 undergo the treatment above de' scribed, while the first set-up S1 is subjected t0 quenching in the position shown at C1 on Figs. 9 and 10.

The quenching means comprises a set or series of coils 38 having perforations 39 to direct iluid centrally of the coils. A suitable cooling medium, such as water, steam, air, or atomized water in cooling iiuid upon the tube II within the coils, as shown on Fig.` 4. Cooling is started as soon as, or almost as soon as, thetube II is positioned within the coil, as shown on..Fig. 4. When the cooling starts, solidii'lcation of the bronze begins and progresses inwardly very rapidly toward the core. As soon as or slightly before solidification reaches the core I5, such core is rapidly raised by an upward movement of th piston I1, and cooling is.con tinued after removal of the core, preferably until the set-up is cool enough to handle. Onl Fig. 4 I have illustrated the progression of solidicatio'n toward-the core, 40 designating the solidified plastic bronze thereon, wlile the plastic bronze 31 is still molten; bronze 40 is cold and solid.

Fig. 1, While the posiplace practically [instan-- while on Fig. 5 all the plastic 10 therefore expedient to provide more than one quenching station in order to extend the duration of the quenching step. I nd 'it expedient to provide one quenching station for each set-up in the group, that is, six quenching stations Ci, Cn, C3,

15 C4, Cs, Ca, for a group of six set-ups.

I prefer to have the stations 34, 36, C1, Cz, Cs. f

C4, Cs, Ce arranged along an arc of a circle so that the set-ups S1, Sn, S3, S4, Ss, Se may be progressively moved to each succeeding station.

After the flux and remaining molten metal have been allowed to drain out of the set-up, the pressure on the gasket 25' is released by operation ofthe valve 26, the tubes Ill and Il are withdrawn as a unit, and then cut apart at the weld i2. The tube li is then machined into bearings; and I prefer that this tube be long enough to cut a multiple number of bearings therefrom; for example, I have it from twelve to eighteen inches long when making bearings of usual automotive size so that a large number of such bearings may be cut therefrom.

On4 Figs. 6, 'l and 8, I illustrate the process of welding both inner and outer facings of plastic bronze to an iron or steel annulus. I use the 35 same set-ups previously described with the addition of a skirt 4i of thin sheet metal, which may be steel, welded to the `lower part of the tube lll at 42, this skirt forming a tube around the tube il. A disc 43 of similar metal is welded to the outer tube at 44 and to the inner tube ll at 45, openings 46, 41 being provided to permit ingress of the flux and molten metal within the tube il and within the space between such tube and the outer tube 4l. Openings 48 are provided in the 45 tube l0 below the joint 42 to permit the vacuum to be effective within the space between the two tubes. On Fig. 6 the flux 35 is shown as filling the space between the two tubes as well as the,

space between the tube il and the core l5, the same having been drawn up by the vacuum in the manner previously described. After the set-up is removed from the flux pot to the metal pot, the metal is drawn up; whereupon the ilux 35 assumes the position shown in Fig. '7, while the 55 metal fills the spaces previously occupied by -the flux. The removal of the core I is illustrated on Fig. 8 after solidiflcation of the plastic bronze rIhe steps of procedure are essentially the same 50 in coating both the inner and outer faces of the annulus as previously described with respect to the inner face. Omission of the opening 46 on the devices of Figs. 6, 'l and 8 will result in coating .only the outer face of the annulus.

65 I may weld a plate similar to the plate 43 to the bottom of the tube il, as shown on Figs. 1 to 5, instead of shaping the bottom of the tube as shown on those figures; and, if desired, the tube il as used in the modification of Figs. 6, 'l and 8 imaybe shaped as shown on Figs. 1 to 5 instead of using *the plate 43. In this event an annular 4band may be need to cover between the tubes Il and 4I if this space is too wide to maintain the fluids therein properly. t The width of the openings i3 and 46 will have gressively through the steps of `filling with up and cutting' oiI the bearing stock.

the annular space vso lthat solidiiication of a critical value depending on various circumstances. It must be sufciently small to hold the liquids within the tube and with this in view I may provide an added feature, as shown on Fig. 11; namely, a tapered plug I la on the bottom .of the corel! which partly closes the opening i3 (or 46), the degree of closure depending on the relative height of the core and plug with respect to the opening. f

summarizing, I- first prepare a .group of, say, six set ups and mount them on merry-go-round supports. I then move the entire group into va furnace and when the requisite temperature has been reached, advance one set-up at a time proux, quenchi filling with metal by vacuum lift, ng;

. breaking vacuum, removing core upwardly, draining out surplus flux and bronze, removing set- After completion of cast-welding and cooling,

the lower end of the set-up may be cut off and the bearing surface or surfaces machined smooth to the size desired, the outer tube 4| being likewise machined away.

Bymy above described-process, I reduce to a very swift and rapid proceeding the manufacture of steel-backed, plastic bronze bearings,

1 thus reducing their cost to a point where they may enter into general use in all automotive engines.

I have referred` to various details by way of illustrating the invention and not as`a limitation thereof; and various features may be changed pended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United vQtates isl. The method of making bearings by castwelding plastic bronze onto an iron ,or steel tube by heating said tube then treating the surface thereof to be welded with a molten flux and then replacing said flux with said bronze in molten condition, the temperatures of said tube and said 45 metal and flux.

2. The method of making bearings by castl welding plastic bronze onto an iron or steel tube by heating said tube then treating the surface thereof to 'be welded with a molten flux andA then replacing said ,ux with said bronze in molten condition, the temperatures of said tube.and

i saidbronze being insufficient to cause the maxispirit of the invendefined in the apmum firmness of weld, the flux being superheated heat is imparted to to be welded to produce the maximum firmness of'weld; said method being characterized by forming a casting space between said tube and a movable object at about the same temperature as said tube, chilling the plastic bronze in said casting space at said tube said bronze occurs progressively toward said object, then removing said lobject before solidiiication occurs thereat and draining out any remaining moltenmetal flux.

3. The method of making bearings by castwelding plastic bronze onto an iron or steel tube by heating said tube then treating the surface thereof to be welded with a molten flux and then replacing said flux with said bronze in molten condition, the temperatures of said vtube and s aid bronze being insucient to" cause the maximum firmness yof weld, the Iiux being superheated toa temperature at which heat is imparted to and of weld; said method being characterized by forming a casting space between said tube and a core resistant tosaid bronze and at about the same temperature as said tube. removing said core after solidication of said bronze in said casting space and before said solidification occurs immediately at said core and draining out any remaining moltenmetal and ux.

4.. In the method of cast-welding plastic bronze to an iron or steel tube in which welding temperature is imparted by a superheated ux, the steps of inserting said tube 'with a core therein into said superheated ux, drawing said superheated ux into said tube and around said core,

removing said-assembly from said flux 'and inserting it into molten plastic bronze, drawing up bronze toA replace said ux, removing said aslsembly from said bronze, rapidly chilling the outside of said assemblyand removing said -core from said tube and draining out any remain- Vwelding a bearing backing member which comprises drawing iiux perature is imparted by a superheated ilux, the

flux before solidication steps of insertingy said tube with a core therein and a, spaced skirt therearound into said superheated flux, drawing said super-heated flux into said tube and around said core and into the space between said tube and said skirt, removing said assembly from said tlux4 and 4inserting itinto molten plastic bronze, drawing up bronze to replace saidux, removing said assembly from said bronze, rapidly chilling the outside of said assemblyl and'removing said core from said tube and draining out any remaining molten metal and flux before solidilcation occurs thereat.

6. The method of making bearings by castwelding a bearing metal onto a tubular metal backing member which comprises casting molten bearing metal into the tube around a movable core, chilling the cast metal from 'the exterior, and then removing the core just prior to solidiication of the metal at its* surface.

7. 'I'he method otmaking bearings by castmetai onto a tubular metal into the tube from the lower end thereof, drawing molten bearing metal into the tube in. the same manner to displace the'ux and surround a movable core, andf removing the core prior to the solidication of the cast metal adjacent its surface..

' .ROBERT D. PIKE.

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